ARMED SUSPECT SHOT BY SDPD OFFICER IN CITY HEIGHTS DIES IN HOSPITAL

East County News Service

November 21, 2023 (San Diego) – Imanol Aparicio, suspected of injuring a woman in City Heights on November 13, has died in a hospital after being shot by San Diego Police officers.

SDPD officers responded to a report of a shooting around 11 p.m. in the 4500 block of Polk Avenue and found a woman with a minor wound to her forehead. The suspect had fled the scene, but was located nearby in the 4000 block of Wightman Street.

“Officers identified themselves and gave the suspect multiple commands, including to take his hands out of his pockets. The suspect said, `Go for it’ and ran while reaching in his waistband. Officers told him to stop but he did not comply,”says Lieutenant Joseph Janjura with the Sheriff’s homicide unit.  According to Lt. Janjura,  the suspect turned towards the officers while continuing to reach and manipulate something in his waistband. Officers gave the suspect multiple warnings and commands.

“The suspect's behavior prompted officers to discharge their duty weapons. Multiple rounds were fired, and the suspect was struck. While on the ground, the suspect continued to ignore the officer's commands. He continued to move around and produced a firearm. The suspect's behavior again prompted officers to discharge their weapons. The suspect was struck again and stopped moving,” says Lt. Janjura.

Officers could not approach the suspect because the firearm was next to him. A K-9 dog was used to move the suspect away from the firearm.

“As officers approached the suspect, they secured the suspect and located his firearm in the area he was shot,” Lt. Janjura states,  adding that officers began rendering aid, including CPR, until paramedics arrived and transported him to the hospital, where the suspect later died.

The suspect has been  identified as Imanol Aparicio, 22, of San Diego. Aparicio was in possession of a loaded polymer 80 firearm that was unregistered. The firearm was found with a malfunction. His backpack contained a 30-round magazine that was loaded with 13 rounds.

No officers were injured or struck by gunfire during the incident. The officers involved in the shooting have been identified as: Sergeant Matthew Ruggiero, who was hired in 2005, Officer Jeremy Avalos who was hired in 2019, and Officer Jonah Tafoya who was hired in 2020.  All officers are currently assigned to the Midcity Division.

Per the Countywide Memorandum of Understanding, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Homicide Unit was called to the scene to conduct the officer-involved-shooting investigation.  At this stage of the investigation, circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation. Detectives are currently gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The investigation and review process for officer-involved shootings are extremely thorough. When the Homicide Unit completes its investigation, it will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine if the officers bear any state criminal liability for their actions. The San Diego Police Department will conduct an administrative investigation into the officers’ discharge of their firearms.  The Commission on Police Practices (CPP) will conduct a review of the incident and provide any appropriate recommendations.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 565-5200.  You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.